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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 12: Dhruva Mahārāja Goes Back to Godhead
4.12.84.12.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.12.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्य प्रीतेन मनसा तां दत्त्वैडविडस्तत: ।

पश्यतोऽन्तर्दधे सोऽपि स्वपुरं प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ९ ॥

tasya prītena manasā

tāṁ dattvaiḍaviḍas tataḥ

paśyato ’ntardadhe so ’pi

sva-puraṁ pratyapadyata

Translation

The son of Iḍaviḍā, Lord Kuvera, was very pleased, and happily he gave Dhruva Mahārāja the benediction he wanted. Thereafter he disappeared from Dhruva’s presence, and Dhruva Mahārāja returned to his capital city.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept Blessings That Strengthen Devotion

  1. 1

    Kuvera happily granted Dhruva Mahārāja’s request because he had not asked for material enjoyment. Kuvera then disappeared, and Dhruva returned to his capital.

  2. 2

    A Vaiṣṇava may accept a benediction from a demigod if it supports advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Respect for others does not require seeking material favors.

  3. 3

    Dhruva did not ask to be transferred to the spiritual world. He wanted always to remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead, wherever he might remain.

Key points from the purport
  • Kuvera, who is known as the son of Iḍaviḍā, was very pleased with Dhruva Mahārāja because he did not ask him for anything materially enjoyable.
  • Kuvera is one of the demigods, so one may put forward the argument, “Why did Dhruva Mahārāja take a benediction from a demigod?”
  • So when Kuvera offered him a benediction, he did not refuse it.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Rejection → Transformed aspiration. A child's wounded pride is purified by divine encounter.

Chapters 8–12 of Canto 4: Dhruva seeks and encounters the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: Dhruva Mahārāja Goes Back to Godhead

Dhruva stops fighting, continues devotional service, leaves his kingdom, and goes back to Godhead.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyawith Dhruva
  2. prītenabeing very pleased
  3. manasāwith such a mentality
  4. tāmthat remembrance
  5. dattvāhaving given
  6. aiḍaviḍaḥKuvera, son of Iḍaviḍā
  7. tataḥthereafter
  8. paśyataḥwhile Dhruva was looking on
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “favors”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When help or an opportunity is offered, do I consider whether it will support my devotion?

Practice

Review one opportunity before you today and identify whether it can help you remember and serve the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.12's connections

Live this todayAccept Blessings That Strengthen DevotionThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 4.12.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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